Posts in category 'Home Improvement'

With all of this winter weather, it's a great time to think about spring and home projects to beat the snowy blues! But, let's take the ideas outside. With better weather on the way, here are some great ideas for outdoor projects around the home.

One of the most popular ideas is to turn a patio or deck into a comfortable outdoor living. With that being said, it's important to consider color outside. Neutral tones have a tendency to blend in with the outside and black can become very hot to sit or lay on when in direct sunlight. Think about brighter tones like reds, yellows and greens for chairs, cushions and tables that will bring a splash of fun to any outdoor area.  You can also add outdoor lights and paper lanterns in bright colors as well. 

Lights don't have to be added just because there is a special occasion – they can really bring character and warmth to an outdoor living area.  Also, it can make an outdoor area safer by providing lighting for any family,...

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Spring will be here soon and so will that list of looming home projects. Some of these may be do it yourself tasks but others may require the assistance of a professional. So, with that said, it may be time to select a contractor. This may seem like a pretty simple task but in reality, picking a contractor can be a big decision.

How do you pick a good contractor? Probably the best way to pick one is to pick one when you don't need them. That's right. When you don't. This way you have time to research, gather references and ask all of the right questions before being in an emergency situation where you really need one or you waited too late to start contacting.

DON'T pick someone out of the phonebook. DO take recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. It may be a good idea to talk to others who have done similar projects to their homes and ask who they used and what their overall opinion was of the contractor and the work performed.

DO interview the c...

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It's a new year and this can mean lots of changes. For many of us, redecorating is a major project at the top of the to-do list. However, this can mean big money and not all of have the resources for a major remodel – which can cost on average close to $20,000. In addition, some owners might not want to spend the money simply because they don't want to invest in something that might not sell in the future. For many homeowners, simple is better.

These days, there are a lot of great ideas out there on how to improve kitchen space for minimal cost. Magazines, television and even home improvement stores offer lots of ideas and advice to making some changes. 

Here are some ideas that can help jump start your kitchen renovation and still leave some money in your pocket. 

• Painting is the most cost effective way to bring about change in a room. What color is best? Take a look around and evaluate what the primary colors are what is most likely to stay and h...

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Are you preparing to sell in 2014? If so, there are several ideas and tips that are useful for staging a home. What exactly is staging a home?  Staging a home is a way to promote a home in the real estate market through using professionals who come in and arrange a home in such a way that it gives a savvy first impression to potential home buyers.

Staging experts are different from real estate experts. While a real estate agent knows the ins and outs of selling and closing, design may not be an area of expertise they are familiar with so this is when experienced assistance is best.  So, with that said, what would a staging expert do? They work with the layout and flow of a home to eliminate clutter, change around furniture and doing an overall assistance with the appeal of the home. 

With that being said, not everyone selling a home has the advantage of using the services of a staging professional. Here are some tips on how to do it yourself that can help with mak...

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Winterizing Your Home on a Budget

It's starting to get darker earlier, cooler temperatures are in the air and the holiday season is just around the corner. This also means winter is approaching and as a homeowner, it is important to take some steps to winterize your home. Now, with that said, here are some ideas that can help protect your home and your wallet – by not costing you a fortune.

1. Clean out those gutters! Water needs to be able to flow through the gutters freely and leaves and sticks can cause major problems. The best part? The only cost to you will be time and effort.
2. Flush out the water heater. Sediment can build up in the bottom part of a water heater which can cause a unit not to work properly. Take some time to flush water through the drain valve to clear it out.
3. Did you know that changing the direction of your ceiling fan can help? If the ceiling fan is spinning in a clockwise direction, the hot air will be pushed down tow...

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